Appointment | Vinodh Ramamurthy is General Manager of Hilton Jaipur

His last assignment was as General Manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, a position he was managing since 2018

Vinodh Ramamurthy has been appointed as General Manager of Hilton Jaipur. He has over 22 years of experience in hospitality.

In his last assignment, he was General Manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, which he managed since 2018. Under his leadership, the hotel saw heightened growth in revenue as well as team and guest satisfaction scores.

Ramamurthy has had a stellar career at Hilton spanning over 10 years from when he joined in 2012. He is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys taking long trips on his bike.

NEWS | Lemon Tree Hotels signs new hotel in Mukteshwar

The property is owned by The Alpine Chalet Resort and shall be managed by Carnation Hotels, a subsidiary and management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited announced its latest hotel signing – Lemon Tree Hotel, Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand. This hotel is expected to open in July 2022. The property is owned by The Alpine Chalet Resort and shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a subsidiary and management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd.

Nestled amidst the majestic hills and lush greenery, Mukteshwar is a hill station suburb of Nainital. It derives its name from the 350-year-old temple, Mukteshwar Dham, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva. Mukteshwar is also a wonderful trekking location with fruit orchards, coniferous forests, lush green pathways, and narrow lanes, it is a nature lover’s paradise that attracts throngs of tourists all year round.

One side of the destination is covered by dense forests and the other side features a stunning view of the enchanting valleys. Located in the Nainital district, this property will feature 41 well-appointed rooms and suites, complemented by a multi-cuisine restaurant and a bar. It will also have a conference room, and a swimming pool, spa and a fitness center for recreation.

Speaking on the occasion, Vikramjit Singh, President – Lemon Tree Hotels Limited commented, “We are delighted to expand our reach in Uttarakhand with our valued partner The Alpine Chalet Resort. This state holds immense business and tourism potential and is a preferred destination for travellers. With our widespread reach, we feel that this hotel will add value to our customers.”

Marriott International Debuts Its 8,000th Property with the Newly Opened Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott

Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today celebrated the opening of its 8,000th property – Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-story stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. The hotel opening signifies both a growth milestone for the company, as well as a remarkable moment in the Marriott story, as the company celebrates its 95th year. Marriott’s first lodging property, the Twin Bridges Marriott, opened in 1957 and was a four-story motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

“From the nine-seat root beer stand that my grandparents started nearly 95 years ago in downtown Washington, to the milestone opening of our 8,000th property, we have been fortunate to call this area our home,” said David Marriott, Director and incoming Chairman, Marriott International Board of Directors. “Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ reflects the continued transformation of the Marriott Hotels brand, and we are thrilled to embark on a new era of inspired travel and design with the opening of this hotel.”

Marriott Bethesda Downtown, part of the Marriott Hotels brand – the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 extraordinary brands – brings enriching, locally-influenced experiences to the global hospitality company’s home state. The hotel, owned by The Bernstein Companies and managed by Marriott International, is a gateway to the greater Washington, D.C. area and a destination in and of itself, featuring three innovative culinary concepts, including Bethesda’s first high-rise rooftop bar.

BUILT UPON INNOVATION
Exemplifying Marriott Hotels’ continued brand evolution, Marriott Bethesda Downtown sparks inspiration at every corner, with a modern, residential design and tailored solutions with locally-inspired accents. The hotel’s contemporary interiors illustrate a curated palette of materials inspired by the region’s natural attributes. Stone and tiles reminiscent of local Bethesda bluestone quarries greet guests at the hotel entrance leading to a grand staircase – the centerpiece of the glass-enclosed lobby brimming with natural light.

Faceted mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows ripple throughout the hotel, infusing an abundance of natural light while also resembling reflections of the Potomac River.

Reimagined guest rooms and suites – with tailored, modern touches that inspire and nurture the needs of today’s traveler – feature multi-functional furniture, technology-enabled work surfaces with built-in universal adapters and UCS cords, and rose gold tinted mirrors. Hotel features include a spacious fitness center with Peloton bikes, a second-floor library highlighting local authors, and a curated art collection from the region’s emerging talent that is showcased throughout guest rooms and public spaces. A large-scale mural by multi-media artist Liz Collins, known globally for her abstract patterns, is an exclusively commissioned highlight.

Constructed to be LEED Gold certified with custom and sustainable design, the hotel features five expansive rooftop green spaces growing select ingredients for hotel menus and is designed to reduce pollution, save energy, and manage storm water.

Hyatt Announces Plans for the World's First FILA-Branded Lifestyle Hotel in Shanghai

A unique expression of life and vitality, FILA HOUSE Shanghai to join the JdV by Hyatt portfolio

Hyatt Announces Plans for the World's First FILA-Branded Lifestyle Hotel in Shanghai

CHICAGO  Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and ANTA Sports Products Co., Ltd. (ANTA Group) announced plans for the first-of-its-kind FILA-branded hotel in Shanghai – FILA HOUSE Shanghai. The hotel will make its mark on the global stage as the inaugural FILA-branded hotel in the world and by joining the JdV by Hyatt brand, FILA HOUSE Shanghai will bring a vibrant new experience to the local hotel scene.

FILA, a global sports brand with a strong lifestyle appeal with more than 100 years of history, has gained recognition among high-end consumers for its unique fusion of fitness and fashion that is both sporty and stylish. In China, the Italian brand is owned and managed by ANTA, one of the country’s leading global sportswear companies, which has successfully positioned FILA at the premium end of sports fashion with a brand concept of “Live Your Elegance,” combining elegance with vitality.

The development of FILA HOUSE Shanghai marks the first time FILA China is extending its brand into the lifestyle hotel space, as FILA’s vision for this hotel aligns with the JdV by Hyatt brand’s ethos. Embracing the brand’s namesake (joie de vivre), the JdV by Hyatt brand offers a collection of independent properties that are true reflections of the urban neighborhoods they call home, inviting guests and locals alike to connect and celebrate the joy of life while unwinding in spaces designed with distinctive personality. This, together with the FILA brand’s free-spirited attitude and legacy of style designed for life in motion, will create a one-of-a-kind experience that appeals to today’s young travelers seeking to live in the moment.  

Stephen Ho, president of growth and operations, Asia Pacific for Hyatt, said, “We are thrilled to be working with ANTA Group and FILA China to develop the first FILA HOUSE hotel in the world. We look forward to welcoming guests, locals and a new generation of FILA fans with the JdV by Hyatt brand’s inclusive, heartfelt and joy-driven service.”

Brian Yiu, CEO of FILA China, said, “We are excited to be collaborating with Hyatt on the world’s first FILA-branded lifestyle hotel. Not only will the hotel be a unique expression of FILA’s history, culture, products and fashion trends, we believe that the young-at-heart JdV by Hyatt brand experience will be a fitting reflection of FILA’s spirit of vitality.”

FILA HOUSE Shanghai will be developed as part of the new Shanghai headquarters of ANTA Group in Shanghai’s West Hongqiao Business District, an area that is fast establishing itself as a center of Shanghai international trade, with excellent transportation links and a vibrant community of business and industry. Located across five independent buildings, housing headquarter office, shops, food and beverage outlets, the unique eco-friendly headquarters complex is envisioned to be a destination for sports retail as well as a space to showcase the latest trends in sports apparel. The complex, including FILA HOUSE Shanghai, is expected to open by 2024.

For more information about the JdV by Hyatt portfolio, please visit hyatt.com/brands/jdv-by-hyatt.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and / or one or more of its affiliates.

For further information:

About JdV by Hyatt

A community for the spirited, the light-hearted, the young-at-heart, the JdV by Hyatt brand offers a collection of vibrant, independent hotels that are true reflections of the urban neighborhoods we call home. Embracing its namesake (joie de vivre), the JdV by Hyatt brand invites guests and locals alike to connect, live in the moment and celebrate the joy of life. Each hotel provides an experience that is inclusive in spirit and space, inviting all to make each stay yours truly. Follow @JDVHotels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for news and updates. For more information, please visit www.jdvbyhyatt.com.

About FILA

International sportswear giant Fila was established in Biella, Italy in 1911, nestled among the foothills of the Italian Alps. Fila gained global attention for its instantly recognisable tennis apparel in the 1970s, and has since expanded their design portfolio to include sporting apparel across a wide range of codes including golf, training, running and compression wear. While their technical processes are at the forefront of sporting design, the brand remains true to its time-honoured European aesthetic and outfits professional artists and athletes from around the world. From small northern Italian town beginnings over 100 years ago, Fila has evolved into one of the world’s most reliable sports lifestyle brands. Our legacy of style earns us admiration to this day. Whether you perform for the challenge of adventure, the rigor of competition, or simply the pleasure and well-being of an active life. Fila understands that the beauty of sport is that, of a life in motion. A worldwide leader in sporting and lifestyle shoes and apparel, Fila champions its heritage Italian design DNA while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of modern performance wear.

About ANTA Sports Products Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1991, ANTA Sports is an integrated sportswear group, principally engaged in the design, manufacture, sales and operation of sportswear including footwear, apparel and accessories. After 30 years of development, ANTA has grown from a traditional private company into an internationally competitive listed corporation with modern governance standards. In 2021, ANTA Group determined the development strategy of "Single-Focus, Multi-Brand and Globalization". The Group owns many well-known Chinese and international sports brands such as ANTA (China), FILA (Italy), DESCENTE (Japan), KOLON (Korea), and SPRANDI (UK), as well as sub-brand series such as ANTA KIDS, FILA KIDS, FILA FUSION and FILA ATHLETICS.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,150 hotel and all-inclusive properties in 70 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by HyattTM, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt ZivaTM, Hyatt ZilaraTM, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by HyattTM, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club® brands, as well as resort and hotel brands under the AMRTM Collection, including Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

BCIHMCT International Hotel, Travel and Research Conference: "Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build & Re-coup”

BCIHMCT International Hotel, Travel and Research Conference: "Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build & Re-coup”

Encouraged by the resounding success of the previous editions, BCIHMCT is hosting its 12th edition of the International Hotel, Travel and Research Conference from 03rd to 05th March 2022 themed "Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build & Re-coup” focusing on the hospitality and tourism sector through the application of theory and practices viewed from the perspective of issues prevailing worldwide due to the current pandemic situation. The aim of the conference is to evolve constructive deliberations on, and to discuss and devise future strategies to re-think, re-build and re-coup tourism, travel and hospitality sector. 

The objective of this three-day conference is to bring together stakeholders for the purpose of creating a platform for sharing, discussing and synergizing various hospitality and tourism strategies, practices and also measures to mitigate the economic  and other losses the hospitality and tourism industry has suffered.

The importance of this conference is to come to conclusions that enable the industry to bounce back in the post-pandemic scenario. Also, to bring together prominent names from the tourism and hospitality sectors to express an opinion on the trends being witnessed globally in the form of steps being taken to recover and revive the tourism business.

The conference seeks to discuss the erosion caused by the pandemic on the hospitality sector as an industry. The measures that are necessary to be adopted to bridge the gap and take the hospitality sector back to the pre-pandemic levels are an intrinsic component of the discourse initiated under the aegis of the conference. 

IIHTTRC will include formal presentations, workshops, and academic-industry interaction through industry-related forum. Apart from the regular presentations, the conference will include keynote addresses by eminent speakers and experts from both industry and academia along with approximately 400 participants. The previous conferences held at BCIHMCT, were well attended by national and international delegates. 

Some of the International speakers and resource persons who would be enlightening the august audience during IIHTTR Conference 2022 are:

• Prof. Shunsaku Hashimoto, Full Professor and Associate Dean, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, University of the Ryukyus, Japan

• Prof Ian Yeoman, Associate Professor of Tourism Futures, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, visiting Professors - European Tourism Futures Institute and Ulster University. Co-editor, Journal of Tourism Futures

• Dr. Lucília Cardoso, Researcher of CITUR – Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, Portugal, Assembly President- Portuguese Graduates Association in Switzerland (AGRAPS) and General Secretary-Swiss Chapter of the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) 

• Dr Kevser Çınar, Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkey, Vice President of Euro Asia Tourism Studies Association & Editor-in-chief, Euro-Asia Tourism Studies Journal (EATSJ) 

• Highlighting the issues, IIHTRC 2022 will further have a workshop on research on the topic “Research Problem Identification” by Dr. Rajnish Ratna, Associate Professor, Gedu College of Business Studies, Royal University of Bhutan apart from presentation of various research papers.

Original articles, research papers and case studies that highlight the issues related to the theme in different aspects from academicians, practitioners and policy makers are invited. Selected quality papers shall be published in the annual Hospitality Management Journal indexed in India Citation Index (ICI), “Indian Journal of Applied Hospitality & Tourisms Research”. Selected papers from the conference will also be published in an ISBN Edited Book. 

UAE restaurants can return to pre-covid-19 conditions with 100 percent capacity

The UAE has eased capacity and social distance restrictions that were imposed on restaurants and venues across the country.

In line with the decision of the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, the capacity restrictions on food establishments have now been removed. Restaurants can return to pre-covid-19 conditions with 100 percent capacity.

Restaurant employees and customers need to still wear a facemask. Moreover, disinfection protocols remain unchanged.

Shisha cafes can return to 100 percent capacity with strict adherence to the standards of the Federal Tobacco Control Law, which states that two square meters per person in the smoking area. 

As of Friday, February 25, the UAE reported 696 Covid-19 cases, 1,916 recoveries, 1 death.

The New boutique lifestyle Hub in Aqaba “Ayla” and Kerten Hospitality extend partnership with one-of-a-kind Hospitality offering

The New boutique lifestyle Hub in Aqaba “Ayla” and Kerten Hospitality extend partnership with one-of-a-kind Hospitality offering

DUBAI: February , 2022: Following the success of the “Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba” which has been operating since July 2020, "Ayla " and Kerten Hospitality agreed to manage another one-of-a-kind Hospitality Hub to further diversify the hospitality offering and continue to increase the footfall.

“The Pulse", a Cloud 7 Boutique Hotel, consists of 75 rooms located at the Marina Village, the heart of Ayla - a real estate leisure hub with the potential to be a second home destination. It is a tailored destination seeking to attract wanderlusters and exploration lovers and seeking to become an attractive Business Hub suited for short and extended stays that will constantly evolve throughout the seasons, attracting a diverse audience for a variety of immersive experiences along with dedicated workspaces for ‘bleisure’ travelers, guests, music and art lovers.

Ayla’s Managing Director, Sahl Dudin, said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with "Kerten Hospitality" following their great success in managing the " Cloud 7 Residences" and we entrust the Group with the management of "The Pulse Hotel" whilst seeking to expand our hotel accommodation and entertainment offerings in Jordan in addition to the real estate development projects. Since its launch, Ayla has taken the initiative to work on promoting and diversifying the tourism offers in Aqaba. Our commitment to grow the hospitality and real estate facilities would not have been possible without the right partners.”

Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality said: “Our vision and efforts have always been exerted to create local collaborations and bring projects to life with depth and purpose that allow to bring communities together. Our relationship with Ayla has developed where we share and motivate new ideas for development; we are truly looking forward to bring this next project to life.”

This vibrant unique Boutique Hotel is aligned with Kerten Hospitality’s DNA to transcend spaces into locations for art and design lovers, and entrepreneurs who seek impactful collaborations, meaningful connections and a place to attend and host creative workshops and entrepreneurial networking events. The facilities, interior design and communal spaces have all been tailored to fit this unique environment.

Omaxe on-boards Eastin Hotel and Eastin Easy

It will operate 540 service apartments of both brands in Lucknow

Real estate company, Omaxe Ltd, has on-boarded Eastin Hotel and Eastin Easy, the 4-star and 3-star brands of hotels by Absolute Hotel Services (AHS), to manage and operate 540 serviced apartments in its project Omaxe Hazratganj in Lucknow.

This is the first foray of AHS, a hospitality management company, in the emerging North Indian market. The company operates 11 properties across West and East India. Atharva Hotel Superfluities is a Bridge company that has brought together AHS and Omaxe.

Spread across 4.13 Lakh sq. ft., the G+12 storeyed Omaxe Hazratganj in Gomti Nagar extension will have space for retail, food court, multiplex and serviced apartments. The serviced apartments would be operated as international hotels, the largest one in Lucknow, making it a destination in itself.

Commenting on the development, Jatin Goel, Director, Omaxe Ltd said, “This association with Absolute Hotel Services is another step in our endeavor to provide to our patrons the best-in-class international services. Lucknow is one of the most visited cities in North India for purposes ranging from business to healthcare, tourism, education, etc., and Omaxe Hazratganj, located in an emerging commercial and institutional hub, will cater to all kinds of consuming class.”

Prawal Choudhary, Director-Business Development, AHS India, said, “This association with Omaxe heralds us into the league of scale and magnitude. Sensing an enormous opportunity, Omaxe Hazratganj has the confluence of two Brands, Eastin Hotel and Eastin Easy, expanding diversity in offerings, both product and services, thus substantiating our brand essence of providing ‘value for all occasions’ and quality.”

A multitude of offerings, ranging from a plethora of room options, all-day multi-cuisine restaurant, contemporary bar and a microbrewery, fitness centre, spa, swimming pool and huge banquets along with Club Membership will be provided to the patrons.

Omaxe Hazratganj is a part of an integrated township in Gomti Nagar Extension, an upcoming hotspot in Lucknow. The project is located along Shaheed Path Road, the semi-circular road around main Lucknow – connecting Kanpur Road with Raebareli Road, Sultanpur Road and Faizabad Road thereby enabling the smooth movement of people and goods; and also, with the International Airport. Aided and supported by corporates in IT/BFSI, healthcare and education sectors and the Government’s infrastructure developments like CG City, cancer Hospital, Cricket Stadium, Police Headquarters etc., the region is becoming the latest attraction for commercial, residential, malls and hospitality activities in Lucknow.

Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, India’s first and only Awards platform celebrating Chefs

Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, India’s first and only Awards platform celebrating Chefs

~ India’s leading culinary platform, Culinary Culture, will reveal the first edition of their annual Chef ranking recognising the country’s greatest Chefs on 19th March 2022

India, February, 2022: With an aim to recognize and reward India’s most talented chefs, Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, a first of its kind annual ranking of the top 30 Chefs from across India.

Culinary Culture, the foremost culinary platform in the country, was Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi, India’s most respected food critic and Sameer Sain, Co-founder and CEO of the Everstone Group. It was established to transform the perception of India’s culinary culture globally. It is all set to now reward Chefs as the true heroes of the Indian Food & Beverage industry.

FoodSuperstars will release its much-awaited list of India’s top 30 chefs ranked in order from one to thirty. Each chef will receive an award and a plaque as a badge of honor and in the event the chef leaves their current restaurant/ hotel they can take the award and plaque with them.

FoodSuperstars followed a detailed selection process with nominations put forward by Culinary Culture’s seasoned community of FoodHunters consisting of over 40 food connoisseurs from across the country. Each nomination was submitted along with an explanation of why a particular chef deserves a place on the list. The process included a physical session to debate the nominations, where the FoodHunters were made to defend their choices. The final list of nominated chefs was then shared with Culinary Culture’s Secret Jury consisting of India’s topmost culinary experts and biggest foodies. The Jury further culled the list to arrive at the TOP 30 and the process was overseen by Vir Sanghvi. The final list will only be disclosed on the night of the awards ceremony and is not shared with the FoodHunters.

These are the only food rankings in India with no form of outside influence or commercial consideration. No restaurant or hotel advertisements are accepted. Along with the ranking of the Top 30, each edition will also feature special awards that will be bestowed on Chefs for exceptional achievements through the year. These will include awards for Social Activism, Sustainable Cooking Practices and an award to a Food Legend. After a very challenging two years of the pandemic, India’s F&B Industry finally has something to look forward to and celebrate.

Speaking about the launch of the new Awards platform, Vir Sanghvi, Chairman, Culinary Culture said, “While many platforms recognize restaurants, FoodSuperstars is the first platform that has been created to shine the spotlight on Chefs’ endeavors, to remind us of the real heroes who work with their hands to create the food that brings us so much joy.”

The first edition of FoodSuperstars will be launched at an invitation-only high-profile Awards ceremony at The Leela Palace, New Delhi on 19th March, 2022. The event will have in attendance, prominent chefs from over the country who will fly in for the evening as well as leaders from the food & beverage industry.

About Culinary Culture

Culinary Culture is India’s definitive voice in food. Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi, and Sameer Sain it is a movement that encompasses all aspects of the food space in India. It is the country’s only authoritative, independent rating organization, awarding stars to restaurants and recognizing and rewarding India’s best chefs and street food vendors. It organizes global culinary exchanges, bringing the world’s greatest chefs to cook in India and sends Indian chefs to cook at the best restaurants in the world. Culinary Culture creates engaging culinary content and has a large and dedicated community of followers on social media. In 2020, Culinary Culture organized events in India with Chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur in France, the three Michelin starred restaurant, rated as World no.1. Culinary Culture has an academy of FoodHunters, consisting of 40+ of India’s top food experts based around the country. Culinary Culture’s various popular IPs include FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, StreetFoodSuperstars, Culinary X Change and Plate of Love amongst many others.

Instagram: @CulinaryCultureCo

New Opening | IHCL expands its presence in Uttarakhand with a new SeleQtions resort

The 24-room resort is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) today announced the signing of a new SeleQtions resort in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The formerly operating resort will be rebranded as Anand Kashi, an IHCL SeleQtions resort post-renovation.

Commenting on the signing, Suma Venkatesh, executive vice-president – real estate and development, IHCL, said, “IHCL remains committed to the vast tourism potential of Uttarakhand. This will be our second hotel in Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the world. This exciting new addition to our portfolio will offer travelers yet another breath-taking location to explore the beauty and myriad experiences the state offers. We are delighted to partner with Mira Kulkarni on this project.”

The 24-room resort is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Nestled on the banks of the river Ganges, amidst lush green forests, the resort offers stunning scenic views. The hotel will have an all-day diner, bar, meeting rooms as well as banqueting facilities for social gatherings. It will also offer leisure experiences such as a swimming pool, gymnasium and wellness areas including a spa. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have seven hotels across brands including three under development in Uttarakhand.

Hilton India and Sakurafresh join hands to introduce a range of zero alcohol beverages in India

The partnership has been forged to develop a comprehensive beverage program catering to consumers who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

Hilton India announced a strategic beverage partnership program with Sakurafresh Beverage and Food. The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind partnership, to drive innovation, sustainability and healthy beverage offering across all participating Hilton properties in India, showcasing Sakurafresh’s zero alcohol liqueurs, spirits and cocktail bitters.

According to Prashant Kulkarni, director F&B, India-Hilton, this collaboration will enable an elevated on-property beverage experience that will meet the evolving needs of today’s guests who choose to be sober yet socially engage with family, friends or business associates with healthier options.

As part of the strategic partnership, the Sober Soirée series of Zero Alcohol Cocktail Menus will be launched in all participating properties across India in February 2022.

The sober curiosity movement, for instance, with low-to-no ABV alcoholic beverages, is gaining momentum around the world with more people mindful of their health and drinking habits. According to Social Standards’ July 2020 COVID-19 Insights: Food & Beverage Report, the “non[1]alcoholic [category] grew 22 percent year-over-year (comparing May-Jul 2019 to May-Jul 2020).

Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build and Re-coup” on 3rd - 5th March 2022 at Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management (BCHIMCT)

“Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build and Re-coup” on 3rd - 5th March 2022 at BCHIMCT

The Department of Hotel Management, BCIHMCT will organize the 12th India International Hotel, Travel

and Tourism Research Conference” from 3rd to 5th March 2022

India International Hotel, Travel, and Tourism Research Conference series has become the most

prominent International Conference in the field of Hotel, Travel, and Tourism. BCIHMCT has been

conducting the conference since 2009 involving the Tourism & Hospitality Industry. The upcoming 12th

edition of the conference in 2022 will focus on the theme “Renaissance 2.0: Re-think, Re-build and Re-coup”.

The conference will include formal presentations, workshops, panel discussions, technical tracks, awards

and also serve as an avenue for discussion on issues related to the industry. Apart from the regular

presentations, the conference will include keynote addresses by eminent speakers and experts from both

industry and academia.

Global pandemic, Covid-19 has shattered the world economy. Tourism, Travel & Hospitality industries

were among those that were severely affected. It presents before us the challenges that require us to

revolutionize, rejuvenate and revitalise our methodology and approach whereby we can address, discuss

and devise future strategies to re-think, re-build and re-coup. The aim of 12th India International Hotel,

Travel & Tourism Research Conference is to bring together a unique and international mix of experts,

researchers and decision makers both from academia and industry to exchange their knowledge,

experience and research innovations from this perspective.

The virtual conference would be attended by prominent authorities from the industry and academia and

will be hosted by Prof. R.K Bhandari, President –IIHTTRC and Dr. Arvind Kumar Saraswati, Convener -

IIHTTRC. This conference promises to bring together various stakeholders on a single platform to discuss

future tourism trends, ideas, implications and methodologies, underlying the theoretical and practical

approaches for innovation, renaissance, re-thinking, re-building and re–couping for the Tourism and

Hospitality sector.

For further information, please visit the website- https://www.bcihmct.ac.in/

Fortress Australia' welcomes tourists for first time under Covid from today

Australia has been gradually reopening since November, first allowing Australians to travel in and out, then admitting international students and some workers. From Monday, leisure travellers and more business travellers are expected to enter. Australia's opening to tourists is the clearest example yet of the government's shift from a strict zero-Covid approach to living with the virus and vaccinating the public to minimise deaths and severe illness

Australia will welcome international tourists on Monday after nearly two years of sealing its borders, relying on high Covid-19 vaccination rates to live with the pandemic as infections decline. "The wait is over," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a Sunday briefing at the Melbourne International Airport.

Australia's opening to tourists is the clearest example yet of the government's shift from a strict zero-Covid approach to living with the virus and vaccinating the public to minimize deaths and severe illness. Most of the country's 2.7 million coronavirus infections have occurred since the Omicron variant emerged in late November. But with one of the world's highest vaccination rates - more than 94 percent of people aged 16 and over are double-dosed - there have been just under 5,000 deaths, a fraction of the rates seen in many other developed countries.

On Sunday, the country recorded more than 16,600 coronavirus cases, before all areas had reported, and at least 33 deaths, mainly in the three most populous states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Whether travelers will flock back to the island continent, dubbed "fortress Australia" for its strict border controls, remains to be seen. The government hopes to boost a pre-pandemic growth sector - real tourism gross domestic product expanded 3.4 percent in 2018-2019, compared with overall GDP growth of 1.9 percent.

Australia has been gradually reopening since November, first allowing Australians to travel in and out, then admitting international students and some workers. From Monday, leisure travelers and more business travelers may enter.

"The reopening reinforces Australia's credentials as an open economy and will allow companies with international interests to more easily conduct business," said Steve Hughes, head of HSBC's commercial banking in Australia. "We expect that mid-sized firms which have reached the limits of their domestic growth will have renewed confidence to consider offshore expansion."

Fully vaccinated tourists will not need to quarantine, but those not double-dosed will require a travel exemption to enter the country and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.

TAAI had Meeting with Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Spice Jet

 Brief of Meeting had with Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Spice Jet & TAAI

A virtual meeting with Mr Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet was convened at 1400 hrs on Friday, February 11th, 2022. The agenda of the meeting was to clarify the ambiguity around the airline’s future and that of the Indian aviation sector, SpiceJet’s plans for 2022, launch of new flights and destinations, the airline’s logistics arm SpiceXpress and other concerns raised by TAAI members.

We are glad to share that we had a very good and constructive meeting with Mr. Singh and SpiceJet Chief Commercial Officer, Ms. Shilpa Bhatia.

Mrs Jyoti Mayal, President, initiated the discussion and welcomed and thanked Mr Singh & Ms Bhatia for taking out time for the meeting. On behalf of members, she shared concerns on the continued challenges faced by the travel, tourism and aviation sectors, which have been the worst hit by the Covid pandemic. While many airlines across the globe had to unfortunately shutdown operations. Mrs Mayal said it was a relief that no such airline collapse was witnessed in India and it was a big achievement that our airlines had weathered the storm and were performing well. While some airlines in India were forced to retrench employees during the pandemic, Mrs Mayal noted with satisfaction and appreciated the fact that there was zero retrenchment in SpiceJet and the Company had done its best to take care of its employees.

She discussed the challenges that the sector was facing and sought clarity on the future plans of SpiceJet, its focus on commercial passenger operations and it’s fast growing logistics business, refunds, credits of TDS and incentives to members, if any, to members due to cancellations, and also a plan to further strengthen the relations between SpiceJet and TAAI and make it mutually beneficial. She also asked for inputs of the relevance of IATA for the Indian market as she had already had a meeting with the earlier Minister of Civil Aviation.

Responding & thanking Mrs. Mayal & TAAI for initiating this meeting, Mr Singh very candidly explained the challenges faced by Indian airlines & addressed all queries. Ms Shilpa Bhatia clarified that there were no pending refunds to any agent.

Mr Singh informed that under SpiceJet as the parent entity a new company has been incorporated in the name of SpiceXpress which will exclusively focus on Cargo. He went on to invite the TAAI members to come forward and leverage the opportunity by venturing into Cargo business bookings, for which mutually agreed commercial arrangements can be worked out.

Mr Singh said the pandemic had disrupted Indian aviation, tourism and travel sectors in ways no one could have anticipated. But challenges like this bring the best out of an airline like SpiceJet. SpiceJet has always looked for opportunities in the face of adversity, he said. SpiceJet built SpiceXpress during the pandemic and has grown that business from a $30-40 million a year to a $350 million a year business.

Mr Singh further clarified that with aviation coming back on track, especially the domestic operations, a window of opportunity is open to both airlines and travel agents to work in tandem and reap the attached benefits, which could be a stepping stone to revive fast. Had it not been for the recent Omicron scare, the recovery of the aviation sector and restoration of regular air travel would have started much earlier, Mr Singh said & hoped that this was a temporary setback.

He emphasised the need for having a domestic entity like IATA in place to have a more robust in-house management of issues and challenges. He suggested that Indian aviation and travel trade have its own issues and the way of handling them, and therefore having in place a domestic arrangement like such would be much helpful in dealing with the same, which was seconded by all present.

Mr Paras Lakhia, Chairman, Airline Council discussed various issues concerning agents, operational issues, changes in flight schedules etc.

TAAI representatives, Mr Shreeram Patel, Hon. Treasurer; Mr Sameer Karnani, Chairman – Western Region; Mr Amish Desai, Chairman (Karnataka Chapter), and Dr Himanshu Talwar, Executive Director all reemphasised the above issues, which were duly acknowledged by Mr Singh with an assurance of personally looking into the same and get it addressed on priority.

Mr Singh reemphasised the importance of travel agents & reiterated that SpiceJet would be happy to collaborate in revenue sharing of all ancillary products & also help to build a healthier & technology driven environment.

Mr Singh said the government realises the importance of the aviation sector and has taken many initiatives in the last five years to help the sector but much more needs to be done & it can we be achieved by working together.

In India, aviation fuel is taxed at the highest level in the world, airport charges are extremely high and there are all forms of other taxes and duties and regulatory complications which make us uncompetitive. These need to be resolved because India has this phenomenal potential of being an incredible aviation space given its geographic location, given the demand and the population that we have, he said.

He informed that at a post-budget interaction, on behalf of the civil aviation, travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, he had raised with the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman the difficulties being faced by these sectors because of Covid. He had requested the Hon’ble FM to consider granting Infrastructure Status to these sectors to facilitate lending by banks and financial institutions. He has also requested the Hon’ble FM’s support for inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel under GST.

Mr Singh informed, the Hon. FM has promised to consider granting infrastructure/ industry status to help the sectors of aviation, travel, tourism and hospitality. She has also assured that she will take up the issue of inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel under GST at the next meeting of the GST Council.

Mr Singh updated that SpiceJet had successfully reintroduced Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into operations and 11 of its 737 Max were already operational. The return of the MAX will help SpiceJet add new routes and destinations and improve operational efficiency.

Mr Singh said he believed that the worst is behind us and the road ahead is full of opportunities and a bright future awaits our airlines, travel and tourism sectors.

Mrs Mayal also applauded SpiceJet for having operated hundreds of charter flights in the last two years at a time when scheduled international flights had been suspended and creating business opportunities for agents as well as helping hundreds of thousands of people to travel to and from India.

Appreciation was shared for Chief Commercial Officer, Ms Shilpa Bhatia for always immediately resolving issues for the trade and our membership.

The meeting ended with thanks from all present on assurance to each other for working towards the industry & to have regular quarterly meeting with Chairman & to have a physical meeting soon to take all talks forward by exploring new opportunities as discussed.

Swiss institute to get on board Goa’s new hotel management project

The plan of setting up a culinary training institute at Farmagudi was initiated about eight years ago, and the foundation stone for the same was also laid.

Goa Tourism will tie up with an internationally acclaimed institution to operate the institute of hotel management and catering technology that is coming up at Farmagudi. The Central government-funded project is likely to be completed in a year and a half.

A tourism official said they do not wish to operate the institute on their own for obvious challenges involved. “A Switzerland-based institute was suggested by tourism stakeholders, and since we wanted to have an institute of repute on board, we initiated talks with the foreign institute,” the tourism official said.

The agreement with the institute, the officer said, will probably be signed before the project is completed so that it can be commissioned without delay. Some of the conditions of the agreement will be that a certain number of seats be reserved for Goan students, concession in fees, and scholarships to local students, besides adding terms for revenue-sharing.

The institute, the officer said, offers scholarships to its students in Switzerland. The same is expected here if the talks fructify.

“We don’t want to make money out of the project. Our plan is that Goan students should benefit. The government wants an agency to run the institute as it does not want to incur recurring expenses to operate it,” he added.

The government will hand over the completed structure to the selected institute. It will be the responsibility of the institute to arrange all facilities, including the kitchen training, he said.

The project was sanctioned INR 30 crore under the Diamond Jubilee grant of INR 300 crore that the state received from the Centre. “The project work has been on track, and will be completed within 12 to 18 months,” he said.

The plan of setting up a culinary training institute at Farmagudi was initiated about eight years ago, and the foundation stone for the same was also laid.

The project was to receive funds from the Centre, but its progression was delayed on several counts, and finally, it was annulled. More than a year ago, the state government resurrected the project.

alliance air: Tourism ministry signs MoU with Alliance Air for promotion and marketing of domestic tourism

Tourism ministry signs MoU with Alliance Air for promotion and marketing of domestic tourism

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, signed the MoU on behalf of MOT with Vineet Sood, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Air, representing the airline. The specific elements of promotional efforts undertaken include advertising in the print and electronic media, participation in fairs and exhibitions, organising seminars, workshops, road shows and India evenings, printing of brochures and collaterals, brochure support/joint advertising, inviting the media and travel trade to visit the country under the hospitality program

In order to boost tourism throughout the country, the Union Ministry of Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government-owned budget carrier Alliance Air in Delhi. The aim of this partnership is to promote and market domestic tourism and position Indian as a preferred tourism destination in the tourism generating markets. Alliance Air with its domestic network will work to promote tourism across India and synergise the activities with the Ministry.

According to a statement released by the ministry, Alliance Air has been the frontrunner in promoting the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India which is being promoted under the Prime Minister’s UDAN scheme. The objective of the MoU is to meet an integrated marketing and promotional strategy and a synergised campaign in association with Alliance Air.

The specific elements of promotional efforts undertaken include advertising in the print and electronic media, participation in fairs and exhibitions, organising seminars, workshops, road shows and India evenings, printing of brochures and collaterals, brochure support/joint advertising, inviting the media and travel trade to visit the country under the hospitality programme. “The ministry shall be bringing together the travel tourism stakeholders to benefit from this Memorandum of Understanding,” read the statement from the ministry.

Lift additional restrictions: FHRAI urges States & UTs

With the number of positive cases steadily tapering off, FHRAI appeals to all the State Chiefs to immediately lift all kinds of restrictions imposed on hotels and restaurants. Currently, in many states, 50 per cent capacity restriction is continuing to be imposed on restaurants along with restrictions on the closing timings. In addition to this, wedding and social gatherings also have capacity restrictions, due to which the MICE venues are under severe distress.

“Yesterday, basis the COVID case trajectory across the country showing a sustained downward trend, the Centre has asked States and UTs to do away with additional restrictions. This comes as a big breather for the industry and we too urge the States to remove all restrictions on hotels, restaurants and MICE venues,” says Mr Pradeep Shetty, Jt. Hon. Sec., FHRAI. Keeping in mind the upcoming summer season, which is also considered as the domestic travel season, he added, “It is the next best holiday season for the hospitality industry after Christmas and New Year. This is an opportune window for the States to allow the hospitality sector to make the most of it.”

Hilton Invests in New, Industry-leading Continuing Education Benefit for Team Members through Partnership with Guild Education

Pic Credit Hilton

In a first for the hospitality industry, Hilton team members will be able to earn a vast new variety of educational credentials at no cost to them

 In an industry first, Hilton has announced a new educational benefit designed to empower its team members to continue to learn, grow and thrive. Through a new partnership with Guild Education, Hilton will provide its team members with a best-in-class continuing education platform to help them pursue and attain their educational dreams. 

Beginning this spring, team members at Hilton’s U.S.-owned and managed properties and corporate locations will be able to earn a vast array of new educational credentials debt-free as they pursue their personal and professional goals.

“At Hilton, we’ve been on a life-long journey to build an inclusive culture of continuous learning for all. We want work at Hilton to be one of the best parts of our team members' lives, and that means creating opportunities for continuous professional growth and development,” said Laura Fuentes, Hilton executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “This partnership with Guild Education – a first of its kind in our industry – is yet another way we will be able to better meet our team members where they are right now on their educational journeys and help them achieve their career aspirations.” 

The new continuing education platform will offer a robust variety of learning offerings, debt-free for all team members. These options include everything from high school completion, English-language learning, digital literacy, professional certifications in high-demand career areas such as culinary, business, data analytics and technology, and college degrees. 

A continued focus on growth through education is key to attracting and retaining top talent, now more than ever, which is why Hilton sought out best-in-class partner Guild Education. Guild has partnerships with the nation’s top universities and learning providers for working adults, offering more than 2,200 programs and the expertise to guide all learners through their educational aspirations and journeys. 

“Hilton is enhancing its commitment to creating a top work environment and a workplace of growth with its new education program,” said Natalie McCullough, Guild Education president and chief commercial officer. “We’re proud to partner with Hilton to provide their team members with career mobility opportunities that will give them the skills needed for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow.”

Hilton has developed a strong reputation as a purpose-driven company with a great workplace culture, driven by its team members. Amid one of the most challenging times in the history of the hospitality industry, Hilton continues to be recognized for its exceptional and resilient workplace culture and team member benefits. Great Place to Work and Fortune named Hilton #1 on the 2021 Best Big Companies to Work For® list and #3 on the 2021 Best Companies to Work For® list in the U.S. Hilton is the highest ranked hospitality company to appear on both lists, especially notable given the significant impact the pandemic has had on the travel industry. DiversityInc also ranked Hilton #1 on its 2021 list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity.

“At Hilton, more than 40 percent of U.S. team members have been part of the Hilton family for 10 years or longer. We are thrilled to be partnering with Guild Education to expand our efforts to support our team members in building lifelong, fulfilling careers here at Hilton,” says Gretchen Stroud, Hilton’s senior vice president of talent and inclusion. 

Prior to adding these new educational opportunities, Hilton already offered more than 25,000 online professional development learning courses. In addition, Hilton offers a comprehensive benefits package including mental well-being offerings, paid personal and parental leave, sabbaticals and GoHilton travel discounts. 

Hilton is actively hiring. The company has nearly 2,900 hotel job openings available in the U.S., with levels spanning entry-level through general manager, at all of its 18 brands.

For more information on Hilton’s partnership with Guild Education, its award-winning workplace culture and the many kinds of jobs available, please visit jobs.hilton.com.

Visit Maldives | MMPRC BEGINS A DESTINATION ONLINE TRAINING TARGETING THE INDIAN MARKET

MMPRC (Visit Maldives) begins an Destination Online Training targeting the Indian Market with 2HUB. The program will be conducted from 16th February to 16th May 2022.

2HUB is an online B2B reseller platform that aggregates Asia's largest portfolio of travel experiences for Travel Agents to discover, compare and book tours around the world with offerings of 40,000+ tours in 60+ countries.

For the Destination Online Training conducted with MMPRC, 2HUB will create a dedicated online platform to provide the latest and up-to-date information about Maldives’ tourism sector to travel trade professionals working in the Indian market. The information related to the destination will be available for the members of 2HUB, including tour operators and travel agents, by logging in to the website. This e-learning platform is flexible and allows members to join in at any time, anywhere, to know more about Maldives and what it has to offer to tourists.

Through this program MMPRC aims to familiarize travel trade professionals working in the Indian market with the latest information on measures taken in our resorts, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboards, and the unique experiences available in Maldives for travellers from this market. This is a great platform to market the destination as a safe haven, promote the unique geographical formation of the scattered islands which allow natural social distancing for travelers.

Over 500 travel partners from India are expected to participate in the program during the three months of the campaign. These travel trade partners interact directly with 120,000+ high potential travelers, thus the campaign opens the opportunity to boost bookings and arrivals from this market to the Maldives. This campaign will help reinforce India as the fastest growing source market for the Maldives.

The Destination Online Training is conducted in line with the marketing strategy for the Indian market to strengthen Maldives brand in this region and create greater appeal to the travelers. It focuses on creating awareness about the activities that can be enjoyed by luxury travelers from India, including those traveling for romantic, honeymoon, family vacations as well as business purposes for MICE activities and events.

India is the top source market to the Maldives during 2021. 13,947 travellers arrived from India in 2022 so far. This places India as the 3rd largest market to Maldives tourism, with a market share of 8.1%. India was the largest market in 2021 with over 278,740 travellers and a market share of 22.6%. Similarly, India was the largest market in 2020 with an arrival figure of 62,960 and a market share of 11.3%. MMPRC has been participating in fairs and exhibitions and holding several activities for this market in order to maintain destination momentum and further increase arrivals from this market. This includes virtual and in-person activities such as major marketing campaigns with stakeholders, webinars, roadshows and familiarization trips

Want to work in maldives

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Sayaji Group of Hotels launches #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign in midst of the wavering pandemic

Sayaji Group of Hotels launches #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign in midst of the wavering pandemic

The five star luxury hospitality brand Sayaji Group of hotels recently launched its #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign. This campaign aims at highlighting the safety measures and the COVID protocols followed at properties across nation to ensure a delightful stay experience for its guests. The campaign also highlights the prompt idea of staycation and how the brand is prepared to cater its guests to have a healthy vacation in home away from home. Sayaji Parivaar since inception is known for its ‘Your’s Truly’ hospitality that is unmatched and is beyond serving just experience.

Brand along with its sister concerns Effotel and Enrise are gaming up to expand swiftly and very rapidly across the nation and #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign is just a step towards ensuring the country the level of responsibility brand is coming up in the nearing times. Sayaji hails its origin from Vadodra back in 1980’s when Mr. Sajid Dhanani launched this dream brand with customer satisfaction as its only motive, a true ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ attitude that has been incorporated in the brand from day one of its inception

Commenting on the launch of this #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign, Mr. Raoof Dhanani, Managing Director, Sayaji Group of Hotels said; “We have made visibility in due course of time running a slow and steady race. Customer experience and satisfaction is our only motto and we at all times thrive to achieve that alone. With #SurakshitWithSayaji campaign we have tried to achieve one more milestone to ensure our guests that the brand would never compromise on their hygiene and safety facilities and will keep their well-being above all priorities. Looking forward to cater more and more new guests always, Your’s truly, Sayaji.”